Wike condemns walkout on First Lady in Rivers, sends strong message to Fubara

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong disapproval over the walkout staged by some women in Rivers State during a programme attended by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

He described the incident as both disturbing and shameful, sending a strong warning to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists.

The incident took place on Thursday at the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment event held at the EUI Event Centre in Port Harcourt.

The programme, organised by the Office of the First Lady, was designed to support 500 women in the state with various empowerment materials.

However, a section of the audience, reportedly supporters of suspended Governor Fubara, walked out of the venue in protest.

Reacting through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike, who is presently on official duty in China, tendered an apology to both the First Lady and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of Rivers people.

“Insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria in an event is a direct insult on the office of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a leader in Rivers State, I apologize,” Wike stated.

Wike accused Fubara and his supporters of being insincere in their calls for peace, stressing that it was hypocritical for them to seek reconciliation while allegedly sponsoring actions that undermine the authority of the President and his wife.

Wike called on Governor Fubara to be transparent and courageous enough to openly declare his demands to President Tinubu rather than acting inconsistently.

“It is not enough to be visiting people to plead for peace while at the same time sponsoring people to insult everyone, including the President and his wife,” Wike remarked.

The Minister emphasized that such acts would not lead to peace and expressed confidence that those behind the disruption were well aware of the consequences of their actions.

The Minister maintained that he and his loyalists had no connection with the incident.

“As for me and those who align with my leadership, we condemn in totality the disgraceful conduct displayed yesterday and sincerely apologize to our First Lady for the embarrassment caused by a handful of women who do not represent the character and values of Rivers State people,” he added.

The incident has further heightened political tension in Rivers State as the face-off between Wike and Fubara continues, despite repeated calls for peace by various stakeholders.